The Greatest Fairy Tale:
The Amazing Life and Story
of Hans Christian Andersen
Autostadt Azzurro Theater

The Greatest Fairy Tale:
The Amazing Life and Story
of Hans Christian Andersen
Copenhagen Venue
Rosenborg Castle
October 2005

The Orientation Theater. Eight book-shaped projection screens introduce visitors to Hans Christian
Andersen as he tells his story in his own words. Under the projection screens are 9 book-shaped
light boxes with text, photographs, quotes, and examples of Andersenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s collages and cutouts.

Bookshelves. As a backdrop to the Orientation Theater, six oversized book
clusters lie stand atop a giant bookshelf. At right is the Ugly Ducklingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Egg
Icon, an emblematic centerpiece for the Orientation Theater.

Detail of The Ugly Ducklingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Egg Icon. A video of skittering clouds racing across
a blue sky is projected onto the egg. From speakers imbedded in each of the Icon
frames, strains of a specially-commissioned musical score can be heard.

The Young Artist. The Treasure Coins Icon lies central to an area which discusses Andersenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s early
years. Beyond to the left is the Coin-Rubbing Interactive, and at right is the Book/Case Unit; these three
types of components comprise the building blocks for the exhibition.

Treasure Coins Interactive. At each of the interactive stations, visitors are invited to use an
Activity Booklet given upon entering the exhibition. In this interactive, visitors rub words and
images into their booklet from the faces of the treasure coins.

The Young Artist Book/Case Unit. A glowing photomural creates a backdrop
to graphic and audiovisual media discussing stages of Andersenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life.

Journeys and Passions. The Flying Trunk Icon with ďŹ reworks projections is central to
chapter discussing Andersenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inspiring travels. Beyond to the left is the Book/Case Unit.
Visitors continue their experience upstairs on the mezzanine level.

Mezzanine Level. Ascending to the next ďŹ&#x201A;oor, visitors see the Shadow Icon,
the Papercutting Activity and the Mermaidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tail Icon.

The Storytelling Alcove. Here visitors can relax and listen to nine of Andersenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tales narrated
in both in both English and Danish. At right stands The Shadow Icon with ďŹ&#x201A;ame projections.

Mezzanine Overlooks. A view from the mezzanine
level to the Orientation Theater and Egg Icon below.

From right: the Shadow Icon, the Papercutting Activity with the Dreamwall projections beyond.

Detail of the Papercutting Activity with Dreamwall projections beyond

A storyboard illustrating a sequence in the Dreamwall

Mermaid’s Tail Icon. Shimmering water is projected onto the surface of
the mermaid’s tail. From this point, visitors return to the ground ﬂoor.

Fame Book/Case Unit. The ďŹ nal chapter in the exhibition discusses
Andersenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s later years and his growing international reputation.

The Emperorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s New Clothes Icon. At the emblematic center of
the Fame chapter, a crown with gold glitter video projections.

A Happy Ending Interactive. To conclude their activity experience,
visitors insert their booklet into the mouths of these whimsical cutout
faces, which record the time and location of the visit.

Autostadt Azzurro
Wolfsburg, Germany
September 2006
Located in the Volkswagen
manufacturing headquarters
in Wolfsburg, Germany, the
Autostadt is a collection of
visitor experiences intended
to build brand awareness.
The Azzuro Theater is the latest
addition to these experiences.

The Azzurro Thearter experience examines the topic of mobility by taking visitors on
a virtual tour of the world as seen through the windows of an oversized virtual car.